Is 'danger' your middle name?

The desire to push one's limits is a characteristic of people all over the world. But some folks like to push a bit further than others. Can you identify the most dangerous contests and the risks involved?

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Question 1 of 20

Before the contest came to an end, the World Sauna Championships would typically be decided in how many minutes?

30 to 40

15 to 20

4 to 6

If the contest had typically run more than 4 to 6 minutes, a lot more people likely would have died.

Question 2 of 20

The temperatures were so high in the World Sauna Championships, you could boil this:

water

No, you couldn't melt rocks or minerals, but -- at 230 degrees Fahrenheit (110 degrees Celsius) -- you could boil water, and that is plenty dangerous.

metal

lava

Question 3 of 20

True or false? In the final World Sauna Championship duel, one man died but the other walked away unscathed.

TRUE

FALSE

Even the man who survived had to be hospitalized.

Question 4 of 20

Free soloing gets its name because:

The biggest risk-takers are solitary people.

The biggest risk-takers like to sing when they reach the top.

The climbers are climbing without ropes or other safety equipment.

It's called soloing because there's nothing holding a climber to the rock wall but himself. They may even be an extrovert, but it doesn't matter when they're climbing.

Question 5 of 20

True or false? One contestant in the World Sauna Championships said his throat felt like someone had stuck a sword down it.

TRUE

FALSE

He actually said it felt like a tiki torch had been stuck down his throat. But let's be honest, tiki torches and swords are both unpleasant.

Question 6 of 20

The Vertical Blue competition is held where?

a swimming pool

The Bahamas

The waters of the Bahamas make for a beautiful place to test one's limits in free diving.

The Bermuda Triangle

Question 7 of 20

True or false? The Dinka Tribe has a fat man contest, but there's another similar contest held in Atlantic City.

TRUE

FALSE

Gorging yourself at a casino's buffet table in Atlantic City is not like participating in the months-long Dinka fat man contest.

Question 8 of 20

It's not unheard of for this organ to rupture during the Dinka fat man contest:

the heart

the liver

the stomach

A recent winner of the Dinka fat man contest died when his stomach ruptured.

Question 9 of 20

True or false? Drinking water is never unhealthy.

TRUE

FALSE

Water intoxication is a potentially fatal condition brought on my drinking too much H2O.

Question 10 of 20

The Disc Jockeys responsible for the “Hold Your Wee for Wii” contest suffered this punishment:

Each spent a minimum of 5 years in prison.

They all received a $50 fine.

They were fired from their jobs.

The radio station that employed the disc jockeys took quick action and terminated their employment.

Question 11 of 20

True or false? Trained participants in the Vertical Blue competition never seem to worry.

TRUE

FALSE

Overwhelming anxiety is a natural feeling at extreme depths.

Question 12 of 20

Free soloist John Bachar issued a challenge from Yosemite. What was the challenge?

Beat me in an eating contest, and I'll pay you $10,000

Do what I do for a day and earn $10,000.

No one took John up on his challenge to try to free solo for a day like he could.

Just try to spit as far as I can. I dare you.

Question 13 of 20

Before Bachar died in a climbing accident, he was injured doing what?

driving a vehicle

In 2006, Bachar was seriously injured in an automobile accident.

flying a plane

wrestling

Question 14 of 20

In 2009, Bachar died in a fall in this area:

Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

The Mammoth Lakes fall happened not far from Bachar's home.

The Alps

Downtown New York City

Question 15 of 20

The woman who died in the “Hold Your Wee for Wii” contest was how old?

18

28

The 28-year-old mother complained of a headache and was later found dead of water intoxication.

73

Question 16 of 20

True or false? Throughout the Dinka fat man contest, participants continue to work hard each day to provide for their families.

TRUE

FALSE

Contestants try to avoid activity so they can gain as much weight as possible.

Question 17 of 20

Free-diving contests come in many forms, including:

acrobatic moves under water

spearfishing

Spearfishing is a popular form of free diving -- if you get acrobatic or participate in mime there are no extra points.

underwater mime

Question 18 of 20

Vertical Blue participants descend down this:

a water-filled mine shaft

a well

a rope in the water

Participants follow the rope down as far as they can go. There are no mine shafts or wells involved.

Question 19 of 20

True or false? The World Sauna Championships guaranteed burns and suffocation.

TRUE

It's true. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?

FALSE

Question 20 of 20

True or false? Pushing limits is a decidedly American activity that you don't see in other parts of the world.

TRUE

FALSE

It doesn't matter where you live on the planet, you'll find people pushing their limits.